USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Church of the Brethren in the middle district of Pennsylvania > Part 31
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DETWILER, EDGAR MARION, second of five children of the family of David T. and Susan (née Kagarise) Detwiler, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near New Enterprise, (Pa.), May 22, 1883. His father is the bishop of the New Enterprise congrega- tion. Edgar graduated from the South Woodbury Township schools
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in 1899; began teaching when seventeen; in all, taught nine terms public school and, besides, eight summer normals for training teach- ers, four of which he was principal; graduated in the Normal English course at Juniata in 1906, and received his A.B. from the same institution in 1912.
He was united in marriage with Grace, daughter of Levi H. and Fannie (née Rhodes) Brumbaugh, the union being solemnized by David T. Detwiler, on July 30, 1913.
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the New Enterprise congregation, through baptism administered by Levi F. Holsinger, on February 29, 1896; the same congregation called him to the ministry and he was installed by Orville V. Long, assisted by William S. Ritchey and Jacob Koontz, on December 29, 1906. The Roxbury congregation (W. Pa.) had him ordained through the laying on of hands by M. Clyde Horst and Samuel W. Pearce. His life is given to pastoral work, and he has served congregations as follows: Norristown, (Pa. S. E.), August 1, 1912, to July 1, 1915; Roxbury, (W. Pa.), July 1, 1915, and continue. From 1906-'12 he was Sunday-school secretary for Middle District of Pennsylvania, during which time the District adopted a constitution and effected a District organization by elect- ing departmental superintendents. He has represented his congre- gation at District Meeting nine times; at General Conference four times; served on Standing Committee at Winona Lake, (Ind.), in 1919, and at Hershey Park, (Pa.), 1924. Since 1920 he is a member of the District Mission Board (W. Pa.) ; was moderator of the Dis- trict Ministerial Meeting, 1919; moderator of the District Meeting held at Somerset in 1924. His home is at the parsonage, 14 Sell Street, Johnstown, (Pa.).
DIBERT, DANIEL WEBSTER, oldest of four children of John S. and Sarah (née Rawlins) Dibert, members of the Church of the Breth- ren, was born near Everett, (Pa.), July 24, 1861. He was reared on the farm and has made a success of farming during his life. He received only a common school education.
He was united in marriage with Susannah C., daughter of John B. and Nancy (née Clapper) Smith, members of the Church of the Brethren, the union being solemnized by G- P. Probes, a minister in the Lutheran Church, December 20, 1882. To them were born four sons and two daughters,-John C., F- R., William R., Wal- ter J., Millie E., and Elsie V.
In April, 1885, he united with the Church of the Brethren in the Snake Spring congregation, baptism being administered by William S. Ritchey. About 1895, this congregation called him to the dea- con's office; then to the ministry, in the Spring of 1904, Walter S. Long officiating; and, through the laying on of hands by David A. Stayer and Ira C. Holsopple, had him ordained, June 23, 1923. He has represented his congregation at District Meeting
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three times and once at General Conference. His address is Clear- ville, (Pa.).
DIEHM, EDGAR G., youngest of four children of Oliver W. and Emma L. (née Graybill) Diehm, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born at Elm, Lancaster County, (Pa.), November 25, 1891. After completing the preparatory course at Elizabethtown College, (Pa.), in 1913, he entered Juniata College, and received his A.B. in 1917; then from Crozer Theological Seminary, (Pa.), his B.D., 1920. He has been making teaching his vocation, and has been instructor in South High School, Youngstown, (O.), since 1920.
He was united in marriage with Maude, the daughter of Isaac and Anna (née Strite) Hertzler, members of the Church of the Brethren living at Elizabethtown, (Pa.), the union being solemnized by Daniel C. Reber, June 15, 1917. The bride had united with the Church of the Brethren in 1903. She had three years' work, (completed no particular course), at Elizabethtown College, (Pa.). To this union four children were born,-Mary J., Joseph, Ann, William.
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Elizabethtown, (E. Pa.), congregation, baptism being administered by Earl E. Eshelman, in 1909. The Huntingdon congregation called him to the ministry, May 9, 1915. He has represented his congregation at Dis- trict Meeting once and at General Conference once; has served as pastor in the Klahr congregation, (M. Pa.), 1916-July, 1917; Roy- ersford, (S. E. Pa.), July, 1917-September, 1920; Associate pastor in the Woodworth congregation, (N. E. O.), 1922-23; and pastor since 1923. His address is R. 4, Market Street Extension, Youngs- town, (O.).
DILLING, ELVIN PAUL, sixth of ten children of George Hoover and Nancy Ann (née Replogle) Dilling, was born in Saxton, (Pa.). May 10, 1897. His parents are members of the Church of the Brethren and the father a deacon. Paul had the advantages of his town high school and then followed his father's occupation, rural mail carrier, for a living.
He was united in marriage with Ethel M., daughter of Wilson Roy and Mary Catherine (née Eastright) Garbaugh, Mitchell Stover solemnizing the union July 7, 1919. To them was born one son.
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Stonerstown congregation, in May, 1906, Harvey S. Replogle administering bap- tism. He was called to the ministry, March 30, 1923. He has been active as Sunday-school teacher, superintendent and circuit visitor in behalf of the Sunday-school work, both for his own denomination and for the State Sabbath School Association. Address, Hope- well, (Pa.).
DIVELY, FREDERIC CLAAR, third of eight children of Bartholomew and Rachel (née Claar) Dively, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born at Klahr, Bedford County, (Pa.), December 18, 1849. He was reared on the farm, learned the blacksmithing trade and made his living farming mountain sides and hammering iron. He had the advantage of common school education.
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He was united in marriage with Susan, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (née Musselman) Walter, the union being solemnized at Klahr, by Daniel Shock, Esquire, August 27, 1871. To them were born five children: Ida, Elizabeth, Elmer, Lorenzo, and Marietta. The wife died August 17, 1892. He was united in marriage the second time with Annie, daughter of John and Annie (née Lingenfelter) Cush- man, the union being solemnized at Bakers Summit by Michael Claar, June 15, 1896.
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Clover Creek congregation, Leonard Furry administering baptism, in November, 1870. The Claar congregation called him to the deacon's office in 1872; to the ministry, July 17, 1880; and, through the laying on of hands by Henry B. Brumbaugh and Samuel Swigart, had him ordained in 1898. He preached more funeral sermons in the section where he lived than any other minister. His home is near Klahr, (Pa.).
DIVELY, TAYLOR LAWRENCE, third of five children of George G. and Juniata (née Musselman) Dively, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born at Klahr, Blair County, (Pa.), June 2, 1894. Reared on the farm, he still had the advantages of common school education, which enabled him to enter Juniata College and graduate from the Normal En- glish course in 1916. Besides he pursued spe- cial studies in Bible and music. He is making his living teaching, farming and fruit growing.
He was united in marriage with Ella, daughter of Adolphus and Della (née Cole- baugh) Weyant, the union being solemnized at Huntingdon by Samuel Weyant, August 27, 1919. To them were born one son and one daughter.
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Huntingdon congregation, baptism being administered by Tobias T. Myers, in January, 1912. The Claar con- gregation (M. Pa.) called him to the ministry, August 20, 1916, and had him ordained, through the laying on of hands by James A. Sell and John B. Miller, May 30, 1920. He has represented his congrega- tion eight times at District Meeting and twice at General Conference. He served as superintendent of the Claar Sunday-school, 1913-'20; vice-president of the Fifth District County Sunday-school Associ- ation, 1920-'23, and president, 1924; superintendent of Temperance for Church of the Brethren, 1921-'22. He has served as bishop of the Claar congregation since 1921. His address is Klahr, (Pa.).
DIXON, ANDREW MARTIN, first of six children of Andrew M. and Regina (née Holmes) Dixon, members of the Lutheran Church, was
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born in Brooklyn, (N. Y.), October 4, 1890. He spent his early life in the city of his birth; began his preparatory work in Elizabethtown College, and completed it in Juniata College, 1913; Bethany Bible School, 1915; Ursinus College, (Pa.), A.B., 1917, and was Graduate student of University of Pennsylvania, 1917-'18; 1922-'23; 1924-'25.
He was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of John H. and Elizabeth (née Becker) Kline, the union being solemnized at Elizabeth- town, (Pa.), by the bride's father, July 21, 1915. To them were born one son and one daughter.
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Brooklyn, (N. Y.), congregation, through baptism ad- ministered by J. Kurtz Miller, October 4, 1908. The Brooklyn con- gregation called him to the ministry, August 23, 1910, and the Claar congregation had him ordained, through the laying on of hands by James A. Sell and Albert G. Crosswhite, June 10, 1914. He has represented his congregation at District Meeting ten times; at Gen- eral Conference four times. He served as pastor of the Claar con- gregation, 1911-'15. The field was ripe for the harvest, and many were gathered into the church during his pastorate. He then took up the work at Parkerford, where he continues. He has done con- siderable evangelistic work. His home is at Parkerford, (Pa.).
DUPLER, ALPHAEUS WILLIAM, eldest of four children of the fam- ily of. Melancthon and Elizabeth (née Beery) Dupler, members (the father a deacon) of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Thorn- ville, Perry County, (O.), July 27, 1883. Though reared on the farm, he turned his attention to educational pursuits, and prepared himself for teaching as follows: 1905-06, student in Bible Institute at Canton, (O.); 1907-11, Juniata College, degree A.B .; one year, 1909-10, was spent in Ursinus College, (Pa.) ; 1914-16, graduate student University of Chi- cago,-degrees, M.S., December, 1914, Ph.D., June, 1916. As a member of the faculty he served in Juniata Col- lege, 1911-14; instructor in Central Y. M. C. A., Chicago, 1914-16; professor of Botany in Lawrence Col- lege, (Wis.), 1916-17; professor of Biology in Bridgewater College, (Va.), 1917-19; in 1919 returned to Juniata College as professor of Biology, which position he now holds. Serves as Registrar of the College and Director of the Summer Session.
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He was united in marriage with Olive E, daughter of Joseph Z. and Emma (née Miller) Replogle, of New Enterprise, (Pa.), Walter S. Long solemnizing the union in Altoona, (Pa.), on September 4, 1906. The bride had united with the Church of the Brethren in the New Enterprise congregation, in 1892. She completed the Normal English course at Juniata College in 1900; the Academy course in 1903 ; and spent one year in the Bible Institute at Canton, (O.). She served as General Secretary of the Sisters' Aid Society of the fra- ternity, 1912-13, and President of the Mothers' and Daughters' Asso- ciation, 1918-21. To Brother and Sister Dupler were born four chil- dren,-Emmert Parker, Dorothy, Donald A. and Frances E.
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Olivet (for- merly Jonathan's Creek) congregation, (N. E. O.), baptism being administered by Quincy Leckrone, November, 1895. This congrega- tion called him to the ministry, being installed October 8, 1904. He served his home congregation for three years (1904-1907) as the only active, resident minister. During 1909-10 he was pastor of the Royersford congregation (S. E. Pa.). The Huntingdon congrega- tion, (Pa.), through the laying on of hands by Walter S. Long and John C. Swigart, had him ordained, May 4, 1921. He has repre- sented his congregation at District Meeting five times, and three times to General Conference. His address is Huntingdon, (Pa.).
EBY, ENOCH, fifth of nine children of Jacob and Susannah (née Myers) Eby, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Waterloo, Juniata County, (Pa.), November 15, 1828. He pressed on with an education beyond the common schools until he was per- mitted to teach and alternated winter school teaching with farming in the summer for a number of years. He "went west" and made his living on the farm, residing, between 1855-87, first at Chelsea, then near Lena, and afterwards near Orangeville, all within the bounds of the Waddams Grove congregation, Jo Davis County, (Il1.). At this date he moved to Darlow, (Ks.), and remained until 1901, when he returned to Lena, (I11.).
He was united in marriage with Hettie. eleventh of twelve children of Joseph and Hannah Howe, members of the Church of the Brethren, living near Mechanicsburg, (Pa.), the union being sol- emnized by Graybill Myers, November 19, 1847. To them were born eight children, the following reaching maturity: John, David, Annetta, Mary, Susan, Hettie, and Levi. His wife died January 28, 1861. Then he was united in marriage with Anna G. Gilfillen, William Howe solemnizing this union, March 10, 1864. To them one son was born, and died when about four years old.
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Aughwick con- gregation while the family was living near Concord, in Franklin County, (Pa.), in 1845. This congregation called him to the min- istry in 1851; the Waddams Grove congregation (Il1.) had him
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ordained, June 10, 1864. From this time on he was regular in attendance at District Meetings and General Conferences, usually representing his congregation in some official way. He served on the Standing Committee as follows :
1873
Myersdale, (Pa.) .*
1874 Macoupin County, (I11.) .*
1875 Covington, (O.), Reading Clerk.
1876 DeGraff, (O.), Reading Clerk.
1877
New Enterprise, (Pa.), Reading Clerk.
1878 North Manchester, (Ind.), Moderator.
1879 Broadway, (Va.), Reading Clerk.
1880 Lanark, (I11.), Moderator.
1881
Ashland, (O.), Moderator.
1882
Arnold's, (Ind.), Moderator.
1883
Bismark Grove, (Kan.), Moderator.
1884
Dayton, (O.), Moderator.
1887
Ottawa, (Kan.), Moderator.
1888
North Manchester, (Ind.), Moderator.
1889
Harrisonburg, (Va.), Doorkeeper.
1890
Pertle Springs, (Mo.), Moderator.
1891
Hagerstown, (Md.), Member.
1894
Myersdale, (Pa.), Moderator.
1895
Decatur, (I11.), Moderator.
1899 Roanoke, (Va.), Member.
In 1877 he and his wife were sent, with Daniel Fry and wife, to organize and help establish the church which Christian Hope was starting in Denamark. He served as a member of the General Mis- sion Board of the Church of the Brethren in 1880, 1884, 1893-98; he served as president of the Board, 1880, 1884-98 .; He served on many important committees by the appointment of General Conference.
A few years before his death he returned to his old home at Lena. (Il1.), where, on April 26, 1910, he died and was buried in the Chelsea Cemetery. Galen B. Royer preached his funeral.
EDWARDS, EMANUEL ANDREW, fifth of nine children of John Wes- ley and Rosenna (née Householder) Edwards, members of the Church of God, was born at Six Mile Run, (Pa.), September 23, 1883. He was reared on the farm and has only the training of the common school.
He was united in marriage with Mary C., daughter of Martin H. and Emma (née Boller) Brumbaugh, the union being solemnized by John H. Brumbaugh, on October 17, 1907. To them were born two sons and one daughter.
* No record of officers.
t See Thirty-three Years of Missions, by Galen B. Royer, pp. 438-9.
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Fairview con- gregation, baptism being administered by Levi H. Holsinger, on January 5, 1905. The Raven Run congregation called him to the ministry, October 30, 1921, John P. Harris and Henry H. Brum- baugh officiating at the service. He has been an active worker in the Sunday-school, serving as superintendent for two years in the Raven Run congregation and two years in the Smithfield congregation. Address, Loysburg, (Pa.).
ELLIS, CHARLES CALVERT, first of a family of five children of Henry J. and Kate (née Kane) Ellis, members of the Methodist Church, was born in Washington, (D. C.), July 21, 1874. He attended the pub- lic schools of Baltimore and then pursued educational work with the following results: Juniata College, B.E., 1890; M.E., 1892; A.B., 1898; Illinois Wesleyan, A.M., 1903; Ph.D., 1904; University of Pennsylvania, Ph.D., 1907; Temple University, B.D., 1920; attended Princeton Semi- nary, 1919-20; Harvard University, summer, 1922.
He was united in marriage with Emma S., daughter of John H. and Emma (née Reed) Nice, of Perki- omenville, (Pa.), William M. Howe and William Hammond solemnizing the union, December 25, 1902. To them were born two sons,-Calvert Nice and John Dwight.
Through James Quinlan's Bible School in Baltimore, he learned of the Church of the Brethren, and united with her in the Woodbury congregation, (Md.), through baptism administered by Amos Kaylor, April 17, 1887. The Huntingdon congregation called him to the ministry, November 10, 1894, and, through the laying on of hands by Walter S. Long and John C. Swigart, had him ordained, September 10, 1919. Since January 1, 1924, he serves the Huntingdon congre- gation as its bishop. He served as associate pastor, First Church of the Brethren, Philadelphia, during 1917-18; its pastor, October, 1918, to July, 1921; its bishop, January, 1919, to 1922. He has repre- sented his congregation at District Meeting twice; at General Con- ference, once; served on 1922 Standing Committee at Winona Lake Conference.
He is a weekly contributor to the Sunday school Times, of Phila- delphia, since 1919; contributing editor to the Bible Champion since 1922; in 1923 was elected the five-year member to the new Sunday- school Board for Middle District, (Pa.). He is the author of third part of Studies in Doctrine and Devotion, published by the Brethren Publishing House, Elgin, (I11.), later published separately as The Christian Way of Life, with introduction by John H. Moore, and The Religion of Religious Psychology, published by the Sunday- school Times Company, Philadelphia. One of his most far-reaching influences is the lecture platform, where he speaks to the many at
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county institutes, Bible and Sunday-school conferences, Young Men's Christian Associations, High School Commencements and other occa- sions, in many of the states of the Union.
He has been a member of Juniata College faculty since 1907, occu- pying the chair of Education; vice-president since 1917; and acting president, June 1 to December 1, 1924. Address, Huntingdon, (Pa.).
ELLIS, CALVERT NICE, first of two sons of the family of Charles C. and Emma (née Nice) Ellis, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born April 16, 1904. After having received his preparatory edu- cation in the Juniata Academy and Princeton Preparatory School he entered the college and received his A.B. with the class of 1923. During the school year, 1923-24, he taught History in the Lewistown High School; during the summer of 1924, taught in Slippery Rock State Normal; he has entered Princeton Seminary for a course in Theology.
During a revival conducted by George W. Flory, he united with the Church of the Brethren in the Huntingdon, (Pa.), congregation, through baptism administered January 20, 1914, by Tobias T. Myers. This congregation called him to the ministry, May 31, 1922. He has been active as a Sunday-school teacher and leader in other young people's endeavors. During 1923-24 he served as president of the Middle District Young People's Council. Address, Hunting- don, (Pa.).
EMMERT, JESSE BENEDICT, first of four children of Joseph F. and Eliza (née Benedict) Emmert, members of the Church of the Breth- ren, was born near Waynesboro, (Pa.), October 11, 1873. The father was a skilled patternmaker and in- ventor,-and a very devout deacon in the church. Jesse grew up in town, attended public school, spent vaca- tions in the pattern shop and served an apprenticeship of three and one- half years, learning the patternmak- ers trade. He graduated in Juniata College, receiving his A.B. in 1902.
He was united in marriage with Gertrude, daughter of Abram S. and Susan (née Fridley) Rowland, of Hagerstown, (Md.), February 23, 1905. This ceremony was solemnized at Bulsar, India, by Daniel L. Miller. To them were born one son and two daughters. The wife died November 7, 1924.
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Antietam con- gregation, (Pa.), John B. Ruthrauff administering baptism, on De- cember 29, 1895. In the winter of 1899, while at Juniata College, he became a "volunteer " for missionary service; chosen as Sunday- school secretary for Middle Pennsylvania, April, 1900. The Hunt- ingdon congregation called him to the ministry, May 11, 1901; and, through the laying on of hands by Wilbur B. Stover and
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Jacob M. Blough, the Bulsar congregation (India) had him or- dained, in 1909.
At the April 16, 1902, District Meeting of Middle Pennsylvania his recommendation to support a missionary in India was approved, and the schools selected him to be their representative on the field. Gen- eral Conference, that year, approved of his going and, on October 28, 1902, he set sail from New York for his new field.
His labors on the India field may be briefly summed up as follows : first nine years, engaged in industrial missions,-directing carpentry, weaving, tailoring, gardening and building. The balance of the fif- teen years was devoted to general station work. He served as Dis- trict Sunday-school secretary for fourteen years; had the oversight of the Bulsar congregation two years; the Jalalpor congregation four years ; was secretary of the field committee for eight years; editor of the Gujarati Sunday-school Quarterly four years, two years of which he wrote the lesson comments himself; was moderator of the India District Conference in 1911 and 1918; and represented the India District on Standing Committee at Winona Lake, (Ind.), 1910 and 1919; and Southern California District at Hershey, 1924. At this last Conference he succeeded Henry C. Early as member of the General Mission Board.
Failing health of his wife has compelled him to remain at home since March, 1919. In this time he finished his Divinity course and received the degree of B.D. at Juniata, 1921, and is at present director of Religious Education, Pacific Coast Region; trustee, acting presi- dent for a few months and professor of English Bible and Missions in La Verne College, (Calif.). Address, La Verne, (Calif.).
ESHELMAN, EARL EMERSON, youngest of two children of David H. and Jane (née Irvin) Eshelman, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Wooster, (O.), July 24, 1884. His mother died when he was but four years old. After completing high school in Waynesboro, (Pa.), he continued his education and received the following degrees: Juniata College, B.S.L., 1907; Wheaton College, (I11.), A.B., 1912; Bethany Bible School, (Chicago), B.D., 1913: student at University of Chicago two quarters in 1915; Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy, one and a half quarters, 1915-16. He was teacher in Elizabethtown College, 1907-10; part time in- structor in Bethany Bible School, 1913-16; member of the Mission Board of Northwestern Ohio, 1919; president of Fostoria, (O.), Public Welfare League, 1919-20.
He was united in marriage with Anna Frances, daughter of Abram S. and Martha (née Sprenkle) Heefner, members of the Church of the Brethren, of Waynesboro, (Pa.), John Ruthrauff solemnizing the union, July 17, 1907. To them were born four children, but only a son survives, E. Robert.
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Waynesboro congregation, (Pa.), Frederic D. Anthony administering baptism, January 14, 1900. While attending college at Juniata he was called to the ministry, May 18, 1906, and, while pastor, the Batavia con- gregation, (Il1.), had him ordained, through the laying on of hands by John H. Moore and Paul Mohler, September 28, 1913. He has
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represented his congregation at District Meeting ten times; at Gen- eral Conference, six times, and served on the Standing Committee at Hershey, (Pa.), 1918, and Sedalia, (Mo.), 1920. His Sunday-school activities have included service as superintendent and teacher from time to time. As pastor he has served the following congregations : Batavia, (I11.), 1911-13; Douglas Park Mission, (Chicago), 1913-16; Root River, (Minn.), 1916-18; Fostoria, (O.), 1918-20; Logan, (O.), 1920-22; South Red Cloud or Garfield Community Church, (Neb.), since September 1, 1922. His address is Red Cloud, (Neb.).
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